Emmissions Compiance in NC

[tstepp920]

I have a 1980 FJ40 with the original 2f. Am I required to maintain the smog garbage? Must I keep the catalytic converter?

 

[kristofferson]

I stand corrected - nope!

 

[lt1fire]

Not really.

Emissions are only done on 96+ cars and there is no visual for anything older than that either. Just a basic safety inspection.

 

[fj40alex]

I have an '82. The PO removed all that stuff and installed headers and a Holley's two-barrel carb. 25 years later, it still runs like a bat out of hell. The MUD "torches and pitchforks" will come out if I recommend you remove that smog stuff, so I'll let you decide. But, mechanically, I am thoroughly pleased with my set-up. Also, I have never had a smog test, though I have not tagged it in NC yet.

 

[Rice]

I have a 1980 FJ40 with the original f2. Am I required to maintain the smog garbage? Must I keep the catalytic converter?

No.

Now that your vehicle is 35+ years old there is no inspection of any kind, safety or otherwise.

 

[tstepp920]

Thank you

 

[JohnVee]

@Rice is correct. Your registration should say NO INSPECTION REQUIRED, but it might have a date listed that can be ignored if over 35 years old. I've had both over the years.

 

[Rice]

By the way, even though nc does not require emissions testing on vehicles older than 1996, federal law still requires emissions equipment be intact. In other words, if cats or other emission equipment has been removed (even though it is not tested for function) the nc inspection station is supposed to fail the vehicle.

 

[mtweller]

By the way, even though nc does not require emissions testing on vehicles older than 1996, federal law still requires emissions equipment be intact. In other words, if cats or other emission equipment has been removed (even though it is not tested for function) the nc inspection station is supposed to fail the vehicle.

Yep, got failed a few years ago on my '78 for that very reason. Now, the 35 year threshold has been crossed and life is GOOD in that respect!

 

[RedHeadedStepChild]

No.

Now that your vehicle is 35+ years old there is no inspection of any kind, safety or otherwise.

That's how I "passed" inspection.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

By the way, even though nc does not require emissions testing on vehicles older than 1996, federal law still requires emissions equipment be intact. In other words, if cats or other emission equipment has been removed (even though it is not tested for function) the nc inspection station is supposed to fail the vehicle.

Exactly, thank you. I hate when people spread misinformation, saying "it's just a safety inspection".

For vehicles older than OBD2, yet newer than 35 years old, there is a section of the state inspection called the "Tampering Inspection" where they check to see if the emissions equipment is there or not. Read this thread for more:

Smog Regulations NC

Now, this MAY vary county to county in NC. I know that Wake and Durham counties adhere to what's stated above, but other counties may have different rules for a vehicle not yet 35 years old yet old enough to not have OBD2. The way to tell is by looking at last year's inspection form and looking to see what shows for the "Tampering Inspection" section outlined below. If it says N/A, then either your truck is a diesel (like mine) or you are otherwise exempt from the "Tampering Inspection".

 

[Rice]

Now remember, "not tested for function"

 

[lt1fire]

EDIT..... I stand corrected as different people in Mecklenburg county have had different experiences.... so I guess i'll just say while there are official guidelines for the state its anybodies ball game if your county and the inspection station you go to cares about them.

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[JohnVee]

I was failed in Mecklenburg County when my 1978 40 still still needed inspection. That was 2012, I think. Was told by 2 places that I didn't pass the visual smog equipment test. That might be because every tester in the world should know what to look for on an old Chevy V8 (but they might not on an old import). They both wanted $400+ to install "passing parts" that wouldn't necessarily do anything for function. It could also be because lots of people will do anything that the tester says if it'll get them to pass, and there's a lot of shady testers out there.

 

[lt1fire]

I was failed in Mecklenburg County when my 1978 40 still still needed inspection. That was 2012, I think. Was told by 2 places that I didn't pass the visual smog equipment test. That might be because every tester in the world should know what to look for on an old Chevy V8 (but they might not on an old import). They both wanted $400+ to install "passing parts" that wouldn't necessarily do anything for function. It could also be because lots of people will do anything that the tester says if it'll get them to pass, and there's a lot of shady testers out there.

Interesting and the plot thickens.... so it seems like different counties do different things and at the same times different stations seem to do different things. That sucks and makes it incredibly confusing to give anyone any information. I'll just edit my previous post to who the hell knows... LOL

 

[GLTHFJ60]

The big point here is that the "Safety Inspection" INCLUDES an (emissions) "Tampering Inspection", meaning that by law, if you remove your smog equipment and the vehicle is not 35 years old or older, you should fail. The "Emissions Inspection" aka the "sniffer" test is different and not what I'm referring to.

There are ways around it and different counties may have slightly different rules, but there is no denying the fact that the "Safety Inspection" includes a check to make sure you haven't removed your smog equipment.

 

[lt1fire]

The big point here is that the "Safety Inspection" INCLUDES an (emissions) "Tampering Inspection", meaning that by law, if you remove your smog equipment and the vehicle is not 35 years old or older, you should fail. The "Emissions Inspection" aka the "sniffer" test is different and not what I'm referring to.

There are ways around it and different counties may have slightly different rules, but there is no denying the fact that the "Safety Inspection" includes a check to make sure you haven't removed your smog equipment.

Completely agreed. Since my experience for 9 years was the tampering portion always read NA I believed it was that way for everyone. Its very annoying and confusing when all the counties and even different stations within the counties differ from what they do.

 

[NCFJ]

What ever happened to good old American bribery?

We have no such issues in SC due to no vehicle inspection.

 

[RedHeadedStepChild]

What ever happened to good old American bribery?

We have no such issues in SC due to no vehicle inspection.

I do like SC for that sort of thing. It's as wild West as you can get without crossing the Mississippi (maybe even with crossing it nowadays).